I've recently found and fitted a set of OEM 8-hole alloys to my S124. As usual, this little project turned out to be a bit more complicated than I'd expected, but I learned a lot along the way. So, for those looking to restore classic looks and ride quality to their 90's Merc, hopefully the following will save you a bit of time and effort.
W124 series cars could be ordered with the 5-stud 15" 8-hole style from c.1992. Early W202's and W210's could have been optioned with them when new, and (correct me if I'm wrong) late W201's as well. As far as the 124's were concerned, alloys were an extra-cost option on all models throughout the car's life, the Sportline specified examples being the exception. In practice most of the UK 6-cylinder cars left the show-rooms with them, as well as a fair proportion of the later 4-cylinder and diesel models. Alloys were added to many of the '95/'96 end-of-line cars by the dealers to help them sell before the new 210's arrived.
A beautiful, bright diamond-cut finish was available in addition to the standard silver paint finish. Careful of kerbs with these wheels - there's no way to do a quick 'touch-up' on the polished finish, they'll have to be re-ground and re-laquered. After-market replica offerings include a (hideous) chromed version, and a dual colour scheme can also be found with black apertures.
There are 4 sizes of 15" 8-hole wheels, all still available from MB. The off-set varies by 7mm which does make the versions model-specific. Sellers usually just quote tyre size in their adverts so you'll have to ask them to provide the correct details. Here are the sizes and part numbers of the genuine wheels:
Three iconic wheel designs defined three generations of Mercedes cars. The 70's classics wore the lovely 'Mexican Hat' wheels, the 80's models were graced with the subtle 15-hole design, and the 90's cars were equipped with the elegant 8-hole alloys. To many, the older cars just don't look 'right' in anything else.
There are other benefits of fitting them besides classic looks. They'll add value to your car - most buyers prefer standard alloy wheels. There's a wide choice of affordable tyres to fit, and a 5th wheel can be carried as a matching spare. The 8-hole design is very easy to keep clean, too. Most importantly, the correct wheels will guarantee that your car is riding and handling the way MB engineered it to (especially if you treat your car to a 4-wheel alignment at the same time as fitting them). As time goes by these wheels are inevitably getting harder to find and prices are creeping up, so get hunting…
These wheels are still available new from MB and other suppliers. From £150 per wheel (pricey OEM centre caps and bolts excluded) most of us will be looking to source a second hand set from ebay, a Merc breaker, club members or small ads. Check the specialist dealers such as Cheshire Classic Benz too - they often have used sets for sale from stock. Four original tatty wheels, often sold with worn tyres, may cost £40 - £100+. The cost of refurbishment would be from £180 - £250 for the set. An easier (and often much cheaper) solution is to go for refurbished or very good original wheels - less likely to bear serious hidden damage, and they often come with good tyres, too. Such wheels may cost between £125 - £250+ per set if you can find them for sale, which makes for a cost-effective and hassle-free bolt-on upgrade. (Small areas of damage can be spot repaired later without a need for a full strip, often by mobile repair firms.)
Every genuine MB alloy will have a proper 10-digit part number with a star stamped on the back, together with the proper dimensions and tyre size. If there's no part number, then it isn't a factory-fitted Mercedes wheel - there are absolutely no exceptions, regardless of the seller's opinion.
In the absence of a part number, there's another number you may find stamped on either side of a wheel that begins 'KBA…'. This indicates a legally licensed product of good quality, sometimes even supplied by MB main dealers originally. That KBA number is a certification earned by passing Germany's strict quality / safety tests. Also expect to find the manufacturer's name / logo and country of origin stamped on the back, along with the specs. These wheels are properly made and safe to use, though they can differ very slightly from OEM in design and finish. These will probably cost the same as originals, unless you can convince a seller to cheapen them for the lack of MB star…
The absence of part numbers or KBA number will alert you to the third type of wheel… the 'replica'. MB charged a lot of money for their wheel options when new, so the market for cheaply-made unlicensed copies thrived. As the supply of genuine wheels is still good, it would probably make little sense to refurbish older replicas of unknown origin. Be aware that no replica will have been made, finished or tested to the standards required by MB, though some are worse than others. They can also vary from the standard sizes and off-sets which may pose more problems when it comes to fitting.
Some sets of wheels for sale may be a mixed bag of all the above, so it's worth checking that all 4 wheels match exactly before buying if you can. I found one 'set' for sale that contained four different wheels, including various makes, off-sets and widths…
All OEM MB 8-hole wheels take bolts with ball-seat heads. Check that any licensed or replica versions (including spares) have the same design of bolt seat - you may find they have flat or tapered seats which will mean hunting for non-standard bolts to match.
This subject is covered at length in this forum of course, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets and tastes. My W124 was fitted with Continentals from the show-room according to the spec sheet, and their products are still highly recommended by those in the know as comfortable, quiet and grippy tyres that suit the 90's Mercs well. I am currently running Pirelli P6000's which suit my 'relaxed' driving style - ultimate wet-weather cornering grip isn't important to me in my old estate! Their key feature is excellent durability coupled with decent all round performance and a big name at a good price. If you have a favorite I'd be interested to hear about it - feel free to add it to the thread.
There were also several 16" versions of the 8-hole wheel available, fitted as standard to the W140 and R129, and optionally on other cars. The W140 versions have an off-set of ET 51 and use a wider bolt so are not suitable for direct fitment to other models. However, many have found the R129 version will fit 124's and 202's without modification. Factory Sportline cars were sometimes equipped with these wheels as an expensive option, though 15" was the standard-fit throughout the W124 model life. If anyone has full details and part numbers of the genuine 16" wheels, please feel free to post them here…
History...
W124 series cars could be ordered with the 5-stud 15" 8-hole style from c.1992. Early W202's and W210's could have been optioned with them when new, and (correct me if I'm wrong) late W201's as well. As far as the 124's were concerned, alloys were an extra-cost option on all models throughout the car's life, the Sportline specified examples being the exception. In practice most of the UK 6-cylinder cars left the show-rooms with them, as well as a fair proportion of the later 4-cylinder and diesel models. Alloys were added to many of the '95/'96 end-of-line cars by the dealers to help them sell before the new 210's arrived.
A beautiful, bright diamond-cut finish was available in addition to the standard silver paint finish. Careful of kerbs with these wheels - there's no way to do a quick 'touch-up' on the polished finish, they'll have to be re-ground and re-laquered. After-market replica offerings include a (hideous) chromed version, and a dual colour scheme can also be found with black apertures.
Sizes and specifications...
There are 4 sizes of 15" 8-hole wheels, all still available from MB. The off-set varies by 7mm which does make the versions model-specific. Sellers usually just quote tyre size in their adverts so you'll have to ask them to provide the correct details. Here are the sizes and part numbers of the genuine wheels:
1 - 15 X 6.5J ET 44 (W124 series, facelift option) PN: 124 411 13 02
2 - 15 X 7J ET 41 (W124 Sportline spec, standard fit) PN: 124 401 13 02
3 - 15 X 6.5J ET 37 (E Class W210) PN: A210 40 10 302
4 - 15 X 7J ET 37 (C Class W202) PN: A202 40 10 502
2 - 15 X 7J ET 41 (W124 Sportline spec, standard fit) PN: 124 401 13 02
3 - 15 X 6.5J ET 37 (E Class W210) PN: A210 40 10 302
4 - 15 X 7J ET 37 (C Class W202) PN: A202 40 10 502
Standard tyre size: 195/65/R15.
Alternative tyre size for 7J wheels: 205 60 R15 (these wheels can also be fitted with 195/65's)
Bolt specifications: 12x1.5mm Ball Seat Head. 60mm total length, shaft length 40mm. Set of 20 required.
(The standard MB steel wheels take the same tyres as the 15" alloys, but it's worth noting that they take different bolts so you'll need to source a set. MB charge around £3.50 per bolt, so check ebay for cheaper options)
Alternative tyre size for 7J wheels: 205 60 R15 (these wheels can also be fitted with 195/65's)
Bolt specifications: 12x1.5mm Ball Seat Head. 60mm total length, shaft length 40mm. Set of 20 required.
(The standard MB steel wheels take the same tyres as the 15" alloys, but it's worth noting that they take different bolts so you'll need to source a set. MB charge around £3.50 per bolt, so check ebay for cheaper options)
Is it worth swapping to 8-holes?
Three iconic wheel designs defined three generations of Mercedes cars. The 70's classics wore the lovely 'Mexican Hat' wheels, the 80's models were graced with the subtle 15-hole design, and the 90's cars were equipped with the elegant 8-hole alloys. To many, the older cars just don't look 'right' in anything else.
There are other benefits of fitting them besides classic looks. They'll add value to your car - most buyers prefer standard alloy wheels. There's a wide choice of affordable tyres to fit, and a 5th wheel can be carried as a matching spare. The 8-hole design is very easy to keep clean, too. Most importantly, the correct wheels will guarantee that your car is riding and handling the way MB engineered it to (especially if you treat your car to a 4-wheel alignment at the same time as fitting them). As time goes by these wheels are inevitably getting harder to find and prices are creeping up, so get hunting…
Where to buy…
These wheels are still available new from MB and other suppliers. From £150 per wheel (pricey OEM centre caps and bolts excluded) most of us will be looking to source a second hand set from ebay, a Merc breaker, club members or small ads. Check the specialist dealers such as Cheshire Classic Benz too - they often have used sets for sale from stock. Four original tatty wheels, often sold with worn tyres, may cost £40 - £100+. The cost of refurbishment would be from £180 - £250 for the set. An easier (and often much cheaper) solution is to go for refurbished or very good original wheels - less likely to bear serious hidden damage, and they often come with good tyres, too. Such wheels may cost between £125 - £250+ per set if you can find them for sale, which makes for a cost-effective and hassle-free bolt-on upgrade. (Small areas of damage can be spot repaired later without a need for a full strip, often by mobile repair firms.)
Identification…
Every genuine MB alloy will have a proper 10-digit part number with a star stamped on the back, together with the proper dimensions and tyre size. If there's no part number, then it isn't a factory-fitted Mercedes wheel - there are absolutely no exceptions, regardless of the seller's opinion.
In the absence of a part number, there's another number you may find stamped on either side of a wheel that begins 'KBA…'. This indicates a legally licensed product of good quality, sometimes even supplied by MB main dealers originally. That KBA number is a certification earned by passing Germany's strict quality / safety tests. Also expect to find the manufacturer's name / logo and country of origin stamped on the back, along with the specs. These wheels are properly made and safe to use, though they can differ very slightly from OEM in design and finish. These will probably cost the same as originals, unless you can convince a seller to cheapen them for the lack of MB star…
The absence of part numbers or KBA number will alert you to the third type of wheel… the 'replica'. MB charged a lot of money for their wheel options when new, so the market for cheaply-made unlicensed copies thrived. As the supply of genuine wheels is still good, it would probably make little sense to refurbish older replicas of unknown origin. Be aware that no replica will have been made, finished or tested to the standards required by MB, though some are worse than others. They can also vary from the standard sizes and off-sets which may pose more problems when it comes to fitting.
Some sets of wheels for sale may be a mixed bag of all the above, so it's worth checking that all 4 wheels match exactly before buying if you can. I found one 'set' for sale that contained four different wheels, including various makes, off-sets and widths…
All OEM MB 8-hole wheels take bolts with ball-seat heads. Check that any licensed or replica versions (including spares) have the same design of bolt seat - you may find they have flat or tapered seats which will mean hunting for non-standard bolts to match.
Which tyres?
This subject is covered at length in this forum of course, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets and tastes. My W124 was fitted with Continentals from the show-room according to the spec sheet, and their products are still highly recommended by those in the know as comfortable, quiet and grippy tyres that suit the 90's Mercs well. I am currently running Pirelli P6000's which suit my 'relaxed' driving style - ultimate wet-weather cornering grip isn't important to me in my old estate! Their key feature is excellent durability coupled with decent all round performance and a big name at a good price. If you have a favorite I'd be interested to hear about it - feel free to add it to the thread.
16" wheels
There were also several 16" versions of the 8-hole wheel available, fitted as standard to the W140 and R129, and optionally on other cars. The W140 versions have an off-set of ET 51 and use a wider bolt so are not suitable for direct fitment to other models. However, many have found the R129 version will fit 124's and 202's without modification. Factory Sportline cars were sometimes equipped with these wheels as an expensive option, though 15" was the standard-fit throughout the W124 model life. If anyone has full details and part numbers of the genuine 16" wheels, please feel free to post them here…
Thanks, good luck with your wheels…
Tim
Tim
